LESS than three months after a new £50,000 playground was opened, it has already been attacked by vandals - to the anger of local parents.

Nazeing’s only playground, in Hoe Lane, was opened in July by Epping Forest District Council Chairman Penny Smith.

The district and parish council's clubbed together to pay for the project with help from the National Lottery fund.

But the paint had barely dried before yobs smashed up wooden support struts, scratched graffiti tags into the equipment and left the floor littered with broken glass.

Mum Tracey Williams, 24, from Hoe Lane said she was furious about the vandalism.

She said: "I take my two boys up there on the way to and from their playgroup and as soon as the place was opened it started.

“At first it was just litter and scratches on the swings but now the wooden support struts under the play platforms have been kicked out, and we're constantly having to pick up broken glass.

"It just makes me so angry, why do they do things like this? Nazeing has hardly any play facilities and it's just stupid and selfish.

"When they do stuff like this they're taking away from my children and the other local kids, I can't believe how stupid some people can be."

Now the council are looking at a hefty repair bill. Epping Forest District Council Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing Councillor Brian Rolfe said he was extremely disappointed.

He added: "Officers from the district council have been in contact with the manufacturers of the damaged piece of equipment and repairs should be carried out within the next few weeks.

"Such acts of vandalism will not prevent the Council continuing to work with local communities to provide play facilities, and plans for another playground in Elizabeth Close, Nazeing are currently being worked on."